PP1 - Potato Osmolarity

Practical #1 – Osmolarity of Potato Cells
Name: ________________________________ Period:_________

Group Members: ________________________________
Introduction
In order to survive, all organisms need to move molecules in and out of their cells. Molecules such as gases (e.g., O2, CO2),
water, food, and wastes pass across the cell membrane. There are two ways that the molecules move through the membrane:
passive transport and active transport. While active transport requires that the cell uses chemical energy to move substances
through the cell membrane, passive transport does not require such energy expenditures. Passive transport occurs
spontaneously, as a result of the Kinetic Energy that all molecules have (KMT).
Diffusion is the movement of molecules by passive transport from a region in which they are highly concentrated to a region
in which they are less concentrated. Diffusion continues until the molecules are randomly distributed throughout the system,
thus reaching equilibrium. Osmosis, the movement of water across a membrane, is a special case of diffusion. Water
molecules are small and can easily pass through the membrane. Other molecules, such as proteins, DNA, RNA, and salts are
too large to diffuse through the cell membrane. The membrane is said to be semipermeable, since it allows some molecules to
diffuse through but not others.
If the concentration of water on one side of the membrane is different than on the other side, water will move through the
membrane down its own concentration gradient which is always opposite the solute gradient. When water concentration
outside a cell is greater than inside, the water moves into the cell faster than it leaves, and the cell swells. The cell membrane
acts somewhat like a balloon. If too much water enters the cell, the cell can burst, killing the cell. Cells usually have some
mechanism for preventing too much water from entering, such as pumping excess water out of the cell or making a tough
outer coat that will not rupture. When the concentration of water inside of a cell is greater than outside, water moves out of
the cell faster than it enters, and the cell shrinks. If a cell becomes too dehydrated, it may not be able to survive. Under ideal
conditions, the water concentration outside is nearly identical to that inside.
Key Terms:
• Diffusion: The spontaneous tendency of a substance to move down its concentration gradient from a more
concentrated to a less concentrated area. Osmosis is the diffusion of water.
• Hypotonic Solution: In comparing two solutions, it is the one with the lower solute concentration
• Isotonic Solution: Having the same solute concentration as another solution.
• Hypertonic Solution: In comparing two solutions, it is the one with the higher solute concentration.
Objectives:
• Particles move across membranes by simple diffusion, facilitated diffusion osmosis and active transport
• Skill: Estimation of osmolarity in tissues by bathing samples in hypotonic and hypertonic solutions (Practical 1)
Materials: (for each group)
• Six 50 or 100ml beakers (all six need to be of same size) 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0.
• 40 ml each of distilled water, 0.2 Molar, 0.4 Molar, 0.6 Molar, 0.8 Molar and 1.0 Molar Saline solutions
• 6 potato cubes
Procedure:
1. Label each beaker with it’s appropriate solution concentration
2. Pour 100 ml of distilled water into the beaker marked “0.0.”
3. Repeat this for the remaining saline solutions in the 5 beakers with their respective concentrations.
4. Record the temperature of each of the cups and record in Table 1 under “Initial Temperature.”
5. Cut 6 potato cubes to a length of 2x2x2cm (be as accurate as possible!). Remove any skin from the cubes.
6. Find and record the mass for each potato cube and record in Table 1 under “Initial Mass.”
7. Place 0.0 Molar potato cube in its’ respected beaker.
8. Repeat Steps 5 and 6 for each of the remaining saline solution beakers.
9. Ensure that all potato cubes are completely submerged; add an equal amount of solution to all beakers if
one cube is not submerged.
10.After 25 minutes, record the temperature of the solutions in each of the beakers in Table 1.
11.Remove the potato cube out of the 0.0 Molar Solution cup and carefully blot dry with a paper-towel.
12.Find and record the 0.0 Molar potato cube mass under Final Mass in Table 1.
13.Repeat Steps 11 and 12 for each of the remaining saline solutions.
14.Calculate the percent change in mass for each of the solutions:( (Final Mass-Initial Mass)/Initial Mass) x 100%
THIS IS YOUR SECTIONS TO COMPLET
Research Question/Purpose:
Hypothesis:
Data Tables:
Title for all tables in your write-up
Solution Initial Mass (g) Final Mass (g) % Change in

Molarity Mass
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
E
Percent Molarity of Solutions

Change of
Potato Trials
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Mean
Standard
Deviation
Mass Measurement Uncertainty
0.0 Molar 0.2 Molar 0.4 Molar 0.6 Molar 0.8 Molar 1.0 Molar
Qualitative
Observations
Data Analysis
Complete the following conclusion & evaluation questions on a separate piece of paper, typed and stapled to your printed off
lab report.
1. Create a graph. Place the percent change in mass on the Y-Axis and Salt molarity on the X-Axis. Insert a line of best
fit linear.
2. Calculate an estimate of the osmolarity in the potato cube (meaning, what solution would create a balanced
equilibrium/isotonic solution)
3. Conclusion & Evaluation:

3. Restate the question and hypothesis.
4. Describe if the hypothesis was supported or not supported using data and statistical analysis to support your
explanation and analysis of the hypothesis.
5. Explain the results obtained in the experiment in terms of diffusion and solution types (hypotonic, hypertonic,
isotonic).
6. Explain and justify your confidence in the reliability of your data (class data) based on the statistical tests completed.
Justify your explanation using data.
8. Analyze the measurement uncertainties (not error) associated with your experiment.
9. Describe the importance of conducting statistical tests (standard deviation, linear regression, and graph error bars).
10.Evaluate and explain the influence of procedural errors of this experiment..
11.Discuss in as much detail as possible, ways that the errors and uncertainties discussed in question nine could be
minimized or eliminated in future experiments. Also discuss any other ways you can think of that the reliability of
the data could be improved.
Assessment:
Lab Standard: Analysis Exceeds Meets Nearly Meets Beginning
Lab Standard: Evaluation Exceeds Meets Nearly Meets Beginning

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Practical #1 – Osmolarity of Potato Cells

Name: ________________________ Period:_

Solution Initial Mass (g) Final Mass (g) % Change in

Percent Molarity of Solutions

Mass Measurement Uncertainty

3. Conclusion & Evaluation:

Lab Standard: Evaluation Exceeds Meets Nearly Meets Beginning

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